Uncle accused of beating nephew to death waives his preliminary hearing

MEDIA -- Accused child killer Paul M. Adams Jr., charged with the November beating death of his 6-year-old nephew, waived his preliminary hearing on first-degree murder and related charges Friday.

Wearing a red prison jumpsuit that designates a high-risk prisoner, Adams was led into the heavily secured courtroom in shackles. Sitting next to defense attorney Charles Williams, he kept his handcuffed hands folded on his lap and stared straight ahead during the short proceeding.

Adams, 38, is accused of beating Tyreece Charlow with belts for 45 minutes the night of Nov. 1 into Nov. 2 because the boy resisted picking out an outfit for school, according to court documents.

A fourth-degree black-belt in karate, Adams allegedly told investigators he held the child's hands down during the viscous beating. His only regret, he said, according to officials, was that he drew blood.

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Deputy District Attorney Daniel McDevitt told Magisterial District Judge Stephanie Klein that he was amending the original criminal complaint to add one count of aggravated assault, a felony of the first degree, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and one count of unlawful restraint. Adams was already charged with first- and third-degree murder, criminal homicide and possessing instruments of crime.

According to the affidavit of probable cause written by Nether Providence Detective Michael Erickson and County Detective Edward Kazlo, the fatal beating took place Nov. 1 in Adams' home in the 200 block of Walnut Road in Wallingford.

Adams, who was the boy's custodian, was interviewed the following morning at the hospital, still wearing clothing soaked with the victim's blood, authorities said. He allegedly gave investigators a detailed account of the events that led to Tyreece's death.

Adams allegedly told investigators he picked Tyreece up at Nether Providence Elementary School around 3:30 p.m. and they walked home. After dinner, they drove to Chester to pick up their martial arts instructor, then drove to West Chester for a 7 p.m. karate class. Since there were no children Tyreece's age, he practiced alone. They left the karate studio, arriving home around 10 p.m.

According to Adams' account, the little boy prepared for bed, taking a shower, brushing his teeth and donning his pajamas. When he went downstairs to say his prayers, he and Adams reviewed their plans for the next day, including what clothes he would wear to school, the affidavit states.

Adams allegedly told investigators the child was uncooperative and "shut down," refusing to respond to his attempts to reason with him. He gave the boy three minutes to "get things done," the affidavit states.

Adams allegedly said that when the time was up, he picked up a belt and struck the child several times. He then picked up a wider belt and re-set the timer, and began striking the 6-year-old with the larger belt, according to the affidavit. Adams allegedly said he held the child's hands together during the vicious beating which, by his account, lasted 45 minutes. He acknowledged that the little boy cried the entire time he was being "disciplined," the affidavit states.

When he was finished the beating, Adams said he poured peroxide on the child's wounds, then put him to bed naked. When he checked on Tyreece about 15 minutes later, he wasn't moving and Adams concluded he was asleep, the affidavit states. Several hours later, when he checked on the child again Tyreece had "a brown liquid" coming from his mouth and was unresponsive, according to the affidavit. Adams picked the child up and drove him to the emergency room at Crozer-Chester Medical Center.

Charlow, a first-grade student at Nether Providence Elementary School, was pronounced a short time later.

Dr. Bennett Preston, a veteran forensic pathologist, conducted an autopsy. He ruled the boy died from multiple blunt force injuries and the manner of death was homicide. Preston told authorities the boy's injuries were "the worst case of child abuse he'd ever seen." The autopsy also showed evidence of prior abuse.

Officials said Delaware County Children and Youth Services had been involved with the boy at some point in the past, but it was unclear if that was when the child was living with his uncle. The victim's only other known relatives are his mother and grandmother.

It is unclear if they were among the friends and family members who were the courtroom Friday morning. All declined to speak to a reporter.

Adams is being held in Delaware County prison without bail. McDevitt said the decision as to whether to seek the death penalty will be announced at Adam's formal arraignment on March 6.